02/06/2014

Going crazy with the winter weather and the little one's trapped indoors? Kids watching too much TV? In honor of International Polar Bear Day coming up (February 27th) try this easy Polar Bear craft to entertain the kids and give the TV a break.

You can use ordinary white copy/printer paper for this instead of construction paper. Construction paper is thicker and not as translucent, so it will cover the dark cardboard tube better. (**WE USED PAINT. MY GIRLS LOVE IT, AND THE MESS DOESN'T BOTHER ME)

How to make it:

Trim the white construction paper to fit around the cardboard tube. Use a glue stick to cover the cardboard tube with white construction paper. (**You can use white paint. It only takes a few minutes to dry.)

Using the pattern provided cut out paws from white construction paper and color in the paw pads with a black marker. (**The pattern is below. However, for older kids they could make their own with paper and a marker.)

Use glue stick to attach the paws to the front of the cardboard tube.

Color in the nose pattern with black marker and glue it to the cardboard tube. Use a pink crayon to add rosy cheeks. Glue the googly eyes to the bear and use a marker to add a smile and eyebrows. (**Again paint can be used vs. marker if you are up to it).

Cut the ears from white construction paper and glue to the inside of the cardboard tube.

07/04/2013

Okay, so if you are like me this 4th of July, you have been so busy enjoying summer the holiday snuck up before you even realized it was July. I was on Pinterest yesterday looking for a recipe and I saw all the fun, holiday craft projects. I felt a little disappointed I didn't take the time to do a 4th of July art project with the kids, but then I realized it's not too late to break out the craft supplies... (really is it ever too late to do art with the kiddo's?) I took a glance and realized how many cute, EASY projects I could do in a short time. And thanks to www.busybeekidscrafts.com I found a great 4th of July art project that was perfect for my little one's (ages 6 & 3).

Below is the Q-Tip Fireworks art project I selected, and I've add my notes and pictures.

Supplies:

• Q Tips • Water • Small containers (#will depend on how many colors you make. We did 4)• Food coloring (Your choice of colors)• Plate (or something to put colored Qtips on while they dry)• Black construction paper (Really can be any color, but black does look great) • Glue

Here's how you make them...

1. Cut your Q Tips in various sizes. You can actually break them off pretty easily with your hands.

2. Now you will need to color you Q Tips. Put some water in a small container and add food coloring (6-8 drops is good). Keep in mind that the more food coloring you add the more vibrant your swabs will be!

Dip your swabs in to the colored water and place on a plate. (We just put them right in the water and let them sit for 30 - 60 seconds, giving them a couple stirs, then pulled them out with a spoon. Easy, fast and my 6 yr. was able to help.) Repeat for as many colors of fireworks as you'd like.

3. If you are not doing this craft right away, or have time to prepare ahead of time, you can leave your swabs out to dry overnight. If you need them to be dry quickly you can put them in the microwave, on high for 5-6 minutes, or until they are dry. (We don't have a microwave, so we put them outside in the heat to dry for an hour while the little one was napping. Worked great.)

4. On a piece of black paper glue your Q Tips in a circular pattern. For younger children it will be easier if you draw a black dot on the paper and instruct them to glue their swabs all pointing to the dot in the middle. (For my 3 yr. old I let her decide what shape she wanted and let her go at it. Her fireworks are lines. She had a blast. There is NO right or wrong way to do this project, let the kids have freedom to create their own masterpiece. As for the glue, my 6 yr. old was putting glue on the back of the Q tip, but quickly figured out it is easier to put glue on the paper where you want it, then press the Q tip into the glue.)

Make as many different fireworks as you can, make them all different colors, sizes and patterns! My 6 yr. old added "people" watching the fireworks to her project.

If you don't have time today to make this craft for 4th of July, you really can make it for any celebration, and don't forget about New Year's.